The Tzʼutujil (Tzutujil, Tzutuhil, Sutujil) are an Indigenous people, one of the 22 Maya ethnic groups that live in Guatemala.

The ancestors of the Tz'utujil from Tulán, the ancient capital of the Toltec, moved to the region near Lake Atitlán.

[2] In the fifteenth century, Quicab, the Ki’che Maya ruler, prevented westward migration through military violence against the Tz’utujil people.

[2] In 1523 the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, with the help of the Kaqchikel Maya, defeated them in a battle close to the town of Panajachel.

In the sixteenth century, Franciscan Friars Francisco de la Parra and Pedro de Betanços moved the capital to Santiago Atitlán and constructed a monastery, believing that moving the capital away from the hill of Chuitinamit would facilitate in converting the Tz'utujil to Christianity.

[3] These organizations are dedicated to specific Catholic saints and also served as a way for the Spanish to collect revenue from the Mayan people.

[3] Economically, Mayan leaders used the revenue collection from the cofradías as a means of bargaining with priests to gain favors.

[7] Anthropologist Dr. Sandra L. Orellana suggests that additional causes of death among the Tz’utujil during the colonial era are gold mining and battles with the Spanish.

[3] Anthropologist Robert S. Carlsen reports that in 1990, fewer than a quarter of Tz’utujil people did not have enough land to provide sufficient food for themselves and their families.

[8] Following the 1985 election of Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo and terror in 1987, the guerilla violence was reduced in the region.

[8] On December 1, 1990, five local soldiers became intoxicated then injured a 19-year-old from Santiago Atitlán while trying to invade a cantina and a private residence.

[8] The next day, thousands of citizens of Santiago Atitlán protested the soldiers’ behavior while holding white flags.

[8] As a result of the massacre, the army was forced to leave the garrison, leading to the removal of a military base from Santiago Atitlán.

Santo Mundo is the Holy World and cosmos in the traditional religion of the Tz’utujil people.

[4] The songs are used to show gratitude to spirits, protect people from illness and witchcraft, and cause pain to one's enemies.

[5] Regardless of material used, Tz’utujil weavings consistently contain a yellow stripe going through the center of the cloth and six silk tassels.

[5] Tourism has provided a market for the talented artists and weavers, who seek recognition for their creativity and unique works.

[6] The Tz'utujil farm using volcanic plains and trade their crops for commodities from indigenous groups in other towns.

[6] Men farm, collect firewood, and participate in commercial-based activities, whereas women cook, provide water, weave, and shop.

[6] Orellana claims that single adults are looked down upon in society because of their obligation to perform the tasks of both genders in order to support themselves.